Innovate UK’s Post

#NRWkannKI! This became clear at the 18th Private Equity Conference NRW 2024. Under the motto "Artificial intelligence – implement it safely, finance it wisely, use it sensibly", lectures, discussion rounds and discussions revolved around this future topic. This year's private equity conference has shown that the topic of AI is moving and will trigger another digital transformation. This must be financed. Whether with funding, equity financing or tailor-made advice – the NRW Innovation Bank is a strong partner for NRW in the digital transformation. Thomas Neubert moderated the VC Panel titled “How do start-ups invest their growth in this global competitive market?” joint by: ➡️ Claas Heise, Executive Director Venture & Seed Capital NRW.BANK ➡️ Andreas Unseld, Partner bei UVC Partners ➡️ Sebastian-Friedrich Kowitz, CEO talpasolutions GmbH ➡️ Ulrike Hinrichs, Vorstand BVK Bundesverband Beteiligungskapital We explored a few relevant questions and agreed that there is a lot of positive energy in the eco-system but German still has a lot to do to take leadership in vertical segments close to its values and unique competence. It is highly desired to motivate the private sector to invest more aggressively in the high tech industry. Examples in Munich and Heilbronn should encourage these efforts. Some interesting highlights of the day. 👇️ 🚀 NRW Minister of Economic Affairs Mona Neubaur opened the conference and underlined that AI has arrived at the centre of society. 💪 Board member Michael Stölting welcomed the approximately 600 participants and focused on the core competence to support and enable the transformation of the economy towards future viability. 😨 Afraid of AI? According to digital expert Sascha Lobo artificial intelligence offers many opportunities. Above all, in Germany with the know-how based here, we can help drive AI transformation in the world. 🤖 Economics professor Dr. Jens Südekum also sees many opportunities for the economy and society through AI. Especially for the labor market against the background of demographic change. 🤝Around 60 companies presented their innovative ideas. Start-ups had the opportunity to exchange ideas and network with investors as well as with Transatlantic AI eXchange. 🏆️ In three pitch rounds, start-ups from Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands competed for prize money of €3,000 from the Private Equity Forum NRW e.V. pitched. The winner is the Companyon Analytics GmbH from Düsseldorf. Congratulations! #TransatlanticAIeXchange #TAIX #FutureOfAI #AI #PEK2024 #KI #Digitalisierung #FördernWir #NRWBANK

Insights and opportunities at the September ScaleUp Britain Summit 🚀 Earlier this month, the ScaleUp Britain Summit took place at the Manchester Technology Centre, bringing together scaling businesses and ecosystem leaders from Greater Manchester and the North West. It was an insightful event that explored the funding landscape for 2024, innovative pathways to private capital, and collaboration opportunities with Innovate UK. Here are some key highlights: - Dr Lisa Hazelden, Chief Product Officer at Innovate UK, shared invaluable insights into how Innovate UK's investor services and market collaborations are driving business growth both locally and globally. Lisa highlighted Innovate UK’s portfolio of products and services support businesses at every stage - from concept to commercialisation, scale and growth. - Marcus Stuttard of the London Stock Exchange shared the updates on capital markets, while Angelene Woodland Singleton of the British Business Bank shed light new opportunities through the Long-Term Investment Fund and the UK Growth Fund. - Industry experts, Margaret Rice-Jones and Cate Poulson, provided guidance on building strong scaleup brands and boards, leaving participants with actionable strategies to accelerate their growth journeys. The Summit was a unique platform for attendees to connect with investors, market experts, and peers, share experiences, and expand their networks. It was an incredibly productive event, offering a forward-looking view of finance, growth, and innovation in the UK. Thank you to the ScaleUp Institute and LSEG (London Stock Exchange Group) for hosting us and to all the participants for making it a success. Learn more about Innovate UK’s portfolio of products and services: https://ow.ly/RXHs50Tu65p Irene Graham OBE | #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #Funding #Growth #Networking

Thank you to Innovate UK for an inspiring day of lively debate and discussion yesterday, on how to best support UK startups and cultivate ‘British Dynamism’ (all credit to Cameron McLain for the term - see his thought-provoking article here https://lnkd.in/eSVtdgmM). Seeing so many ‘familiar friends’ (sic: logos) on this slide highlighted the incredible diversity of investor backing for emerging UK companies across all sectors; but this work is just beginning. In my world of healthcare and life sciences, founders face umpteen complex challenges: cumbersome route-to-market, stringent regulatory demands, unpredictable (and often larger than expected) capital need, the search for specialised talent...the list goes on. The networks and resources provided by Innovate UK are crucial in helping investors and entrepreneurs overcome these hurdles, ensuring that high-quality science and technologies can eventually reach the patients and systems that need them most. I’m energised and excited to be part of the Innovate UK Business Connect Investor Partnership community, and I look forward to integrating its value across our portfolio and future investments. #investment #vc #venturecapital #uk #economy #investing

The essentials in fundraising are what Fabian Sepulveda (entrepreneur, educator and investor at Courage Ventures Funds) will be talking about at the webinar on June 11th, at 10.30 – 11.30 AM. 🔸 Are you an investor? Access new, exciting opportunities! 🔸 Are you an entrepreneur? Learn the investors’ mindset! Organized by Health Data Sweden partners EIT Digital and Compare. #lifescience #fundraising #investment #entrepreneurship

🚀 New #Vision2030 policy paper: Shaping the Future of the Economy. invest.austria, AustrianStartups, Junge Wirtschaft and #StartupNOW have joined forces to present the "Vision 2030" – our plan to make Austria the leading business location in Europe. – Our key objectives – ✨ New Austrian Growth Fund ✨ Improving the Local Investor Landscape ✨ Expanding Entrepreneurial and Financial Education ✨ Fostering the Local Spin-off Ecosystem The program details include: 1️⃣ Strengthening the Capital Market 2️⃣ Strengthening the Business Location 3️⃣ Promoting Entrepreneurial Education 1️⃣ Strengthening the Capital Market: enabling quick and flexible corporate financing #1Recommendation Establish umbrella funds for institutional investors #2Recommendation Reform the existing venture capital fund law #3Recommendation Introduce investment allowance 2️⃣ Strengthening the Business Location: creating competitive conditions to attract the best talents #4Recommendation Optimize employee participation models #5Recommendation Allow loss compensation #6Recommendation Create a legal basis for digital securities #7Recommendation Ensure legal support for young companies 3️⃣ Promoting Entrepreneurial Education: inspiring young people for entrepreneurship early on #8Recommendation Expand entrepreneurship weeks to all schools #9Recommendation Enable entrepreneurial projects instead of pre-scientific work for the Matura #10Recommendation Expand and anchor spin-off fellowship long-term #11Recommendation Introduce founding scholarships for everyone Appealing to all decision-makers to actively support this vision and contribute together to strengthening Austria's business location. Together for a strong economic future! 🌍 Claudia Falkinger | Nikolaus "Niki" Futter | Daniela Haunstein | Adrian Zettl #wkostartupnow 📷 © invest.austria

✨The wait is finally over as we are ready to unveil what's in store for you during the European Angel Investment Summit on October 15 - 16. Not only will you be able to network with investors and startups, but you will also gain access to invaluable industry insights from experts in the field. Get your tickets here: https://lnkd.in/dfRpwmv ➡️Here's what to expect during #EAIS24: 14th of October - Pre-event Networking 🍻Get ready for Belgian Brewed Beers as we open up our pre-event networking drinks for investors and entrepreneurs. Get a jumpstart on making connections and listen to inspirational talk by Gelatex founder Märt-Erik Martens (Powered by Bionanopolys)   15th of October - Core Topics of Focus 🛡️ #DefenceTech Forum: Discover how the EU is supporting startups and investors in the ecosystem. What are the challenges and opportunities presented when investing in defence and dual-use? (Powered by DGDEFIS). 🛰️ #DeepTech Forum: Focus on BioTech investment trends, advancing diversity around BioTech founders and AI and applications across science-driven sectors (Powered by Bionanopolys). 💡Past Present and Future Forum: Finishing off the day with the past, present, and future of angel investing featuring BAN managers and Board members in a round table discussion about the future of the investing ecosystem. Gala Dinner -🎉 Celebrate the 25th anniversary of the EBAN network in style with an inviting reception, followed by a small concert and dinner to commemorate the occasion. 16th of October - Engaging Investors and Entrepreneurs 🎙️Plenary sessions on the past 25 years of angel investing, how to drive exits (powered by EU-LAC Digital Accelerator), and how to steer the scaling of companies. 🤝 Connecting the Community: Half day of corporate matchmaking between entrepreneurs, VC's, and other corporate groups. Interested by what you see? Well that is not all in store! This year is your only chance to celebrate EBAN’s 25th Anniversary with top Angel Investors from Europe and around the world 🎉. So what are you waiting for? Get your tickets now and join us during #EAIS24 Join the celebration here: https://lnkd.in/dfRpwmv

A good start of the week this morning at Politecnico di Milano, attending the presentation of the 9th report on #crowdinvesting in Italy within the Osservatorio Entrepreneurship Finance & Innovation. Interesting to hear that the channel has been impacted - just like any other funnel of fund-raising in the latest 12 months - by a reduction of funds raised and managed (-5.3%), which seems to be a #global #trend as for financial scenarios that have repeatedly been commented upon elsewhere. This notwithstanding, crowdinvesting is expected to grow in the months to come: not only has the #EuropeanCrowdfundingServiceProvider #regulation set the stage for a more uniform conduct of #platforms and #investors in Europe; but also the players themselves will contribute to higher #quality in the selection processes; more #transparency and #frequence of updates & communication by the financed companies; savvy use of #technology to democratize the access to thriving not-listed companies. Kudos to professor Giancarlo Giudici and his research team for curating such an interesting overview that sheds light on #crowdinvesting and all related tools that - I find - the market still knows (too) little about. And to all guests and panelists that have contributed to a very enriching discussion!

Here's a super interesting event you should all be into... On the afternoon of 10th September 2024, the ScaleUp Institute in partnership with the London Stock Exchange, Manchester Digital, GM Business Growth Hub, and other key partners, will be hosting the ScaleUp Britain Summit at Manchester Technology Centre. This event is a must-attend for all scaling businesses across all sectors in the region, as well as ecosystem players. Here's what it's all about... 📈 Funding Landscape 2024 and Beyond: Get insights on raising capital, tapping into private and institutional investment, and accessing new platforms like PISCES and FLOWW. 🌍 Market and R&D Opportunities: Learn how to collaborate with Innovate UK to access markets and R&D opportunities, both domestically and internationally. 🛠 Building an Effective Board: Expert tips on developing a strong board and advisory network to support your scaleup growth. 👥 Networking Opportunities: Connect with peers, leading funders, and advisors, and exchange experiences with scaling businesses from across the North West. Whether you’re a scaling business or an ecosystem leader, this summit is your chance to connect with money, experts, and new market opportunities. Get signed up at https://lnkd.in/egn9paN3

Status on European unicorns for Stride Partners As we have navigated through 2024, the topic of European unicorns has continued to come up in conversations here on LinkedIn – especially in juxtaposition to their American peers. Based on recent findings from Pitchbook, I summarise some of the key facts for European unicorns. We are seeing fewer new unicorns: The data shows a shift in the market dynamics of European unicorns. The number of new unicorns has significantly decreased since its peak in 2021, driven by the increasing cost of capital and a maturing ecosystem where business models are expected to balance growth with resilience and sustainability. The unicorns are concentrated in Central Europe: The report reveals a significant concentration of unicorns in Central Europe, highlighting the role of established tech hubs in supporting high-growth companies. Countries such as Germany, France and the UK continue to lead the way, benefiting from robust venture ecosystems and comprehensive support structures for startups. SaaS and Fintech have produced the most unicorns: SaaS and Fintech remain the dominant sectors, thriving on the back of accelerated digital transformation across industries. The resilience of these sectors, even in a tighter funding environment, underlines their critical role in the European economy. Interestingly (but perhaps not so surprisingly!), sectors such as AI and Big Data are emerging as key drivers. Decreasing valuations: PitchBook data highlights the ongoing valuation adjustments, with many unicorns from the 2021 cohort undergoing down rounds. This correction is likely bringing market valuations more in line with long-term business fundamentals. Swipe right ➡️ to uncover deeper insights. #EuropeanUnicorns #StartupTrends #VentureCapital #Innovation #TechStartups 

𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡: 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆-𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀? 🌍 Even if we don't go to New York, many international investors are waiting for you in the center of Europe - Brussels. Don't miss out on the chance to pitch directly to investors during the European Angel Investment Summit in Brussels on October 15 -16. The NRW.BANK offers 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁-𝘂𝗽𝘀 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗡𝗥𝗪 the exclusive opportunity to introduce themselves to a leading international audience of investors. 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟱𝘁𝗵! Please find the link to the application in the comments. Selected startups get access to: 🎫 2 Complimentary EAIS Tickets 📣 A pitching slot during the event 💻 Profile listed on the EAIS website with promotional campaigns ✏️ All #EAIS24 workshops and sessions 🤝 Networking opportunities facilitated by the Brella app 💲 Additional tickets and discounts for their team 💡 Possibility to have an exhibition stand Please feel free to DM me if you are interested or in case you have any questions! #EAIS2024 #crossborder #investment #angelinvestment #fundraising #opportunity #pitch